New NCAA Legislation for 2010 “Life in the Balance” Initiative

1. New NCAA Legislation for 2010 “Life in the Balance” Initiative

2. At the 2010 NCAA Convention, held January 13th – 16th in Atlanta, GA, several changes were voted upon and passed that will have an impact at the NCAA Division II level. These changes will be effective August 1, 2010. Some of the legislation that has passed is from what is called “Life in the Balance”

3. First of all, why is the initiative called Life in the Balance? A group of about 70 presidents, who gathered at a 2009 Convention meeting, had reason to believe that the balance that is so integral to the strategic-positioning platform had become skewed by athletics time commitments that compromised class work, and a playing schedule that, over the years, had become more populated with exempted contests, regular-season games and postseason tournaments. In short, the presidents and chancellors in that Washington, D.C., ballroom wondered whether student-athletes were spending more time on the fields and courts than they were in the classroom. Recent data from a longitudinal study of time demands supported that notion, showing that Division II student-athletes in some sports were devoting almost as much time––if not more––to athletics as their Division I counterparts. In addition, tales of teams in some sports playing as many as 60 or 70 games in a season alarmed leaders, who were concerned that Division II’s on-field behaviors were straying from the attribute-based identity presidents and chancellors worked so diligently to develop four years ago.

4. The identity campaign that began with a presidential summit in 2005 produced the Division II strategic-positioning platformthat was anchored by a “Life in the Balance” statement proclaiming: Higher education has lasting importance on an individual’s future success. For this reason, the emphasis for the student-athlete experience in Division II is a comprehensive program of learning and development in a personal setting. The Division II approach provides growth opportunities through academic achievement, learning in high-level athletics competition and development of positive societal attitudes in service to community. The balance and integration of these different areas of learning opportunity provide Division II student-athletes a path to graduation while cultivating a variety of skills and knowledge for life ahead.

5. Proposal 2010 – 5: Playing & Practice Seasons – Fall Sports • In cross country, golf, soccer, tennis and volleyball, to amend the playing and practice seasons legislation, as follows: • Amend the first date of practice in the championship segment (in golf and tennis, for an institution that is a member of a conference that conducts its only conference championship or plays the majority of its conference matches during the fall, or an institution that declares fall as its institution's championship segment); • (2) Amend the first contest or date of competition with outside competition in the championship segment (in golf and tennis, for an institution that is a member of a conference that conducts its only conference championship or plays the majority of its conference matches during the fall, or an institution that declares fall as its institution's championship segment); • (3) Specify limitations on preseason practice activities prior to the first day of classes; • (4) In soccer, to reduce the maximum number of contests during the segment in which the NCAA championship is conducted from 20 to 18; and in volleyball, to reduce the maximum number of contests during the segment in which the NCAA championship is conducted from 28 to 26.

6. Proposal 2010 – 5: Playing & Practice Seasons – Fall Sports (1) Amend the first date of practice in the championship segment (in golf and tennis, for an institution that is a member of a conference that conducts its only conference championship or plays the majority of its conference matches during the fall, or an institution that declares fall as its institution's championship segment); Application: Start practice 17 days prior to the first permissible contest or date of competition or five days prior to the first day of classes, whichever is earlier. Rationale:  Uniform application for the first reporting date for preseason practice.  Permits an institution that begins classes on the same day as the first day of preseason practice to start five days (or seven in football) prior to that day to allow student-athletes and coaches to practice and prepare for the upcoming championship while classes are not in session.  Incidental benefit of cost savings for institutions––most institutions will have one less week of feeding and housing student-athletes while classes are not in session.

7. Proposal 2010 – 5: Playing & Practice Seasons – Fall Sports (2) Amend the first contest or date of competition with outside competition in the championship segment (in golf and tennis, for an institution that is a member of a conference that conducts its only conference championship or plays the majority of its conference matches during the fall, or an institution that declares fall as its institution's championship segment); Application: Thursday preceding September 6, 2010 (actual date-Thursday, September 2, 2010) Rationale:  The proposed change provides greater balance to student-athletes and coaches by giving time back in the summer.  The additional week in the summer will give student-athletes more time to continue working or to spend time with family and friends.

8. Proposal 2010 – 5: Playing & Practice Seasons – Fall Sports (3) Specify limitations on preseason practice activities prior to the first day of classes; Application:  Countable athletically related activities limited to six hours per day.  Only five of six hours per day shall be devoted to physical activities like practice, weight training or conditioning.  Any session with physical activities shall not last longer than three hours.  Three continuous hours of recovery time is required between any sessions with physical activities. The three hours of recovery time cannot include meetings or any athletically related activity, but medical treatment and meals are okay during the recovery time. Rationale:  The proposed change is tied to the later start of the first contest or date of competition and a later start to the preseason practice period before the first day of classes or first contest or date of competition, whichever is earlier.  Under current legislation, except in football, there are no time limitations on physical activities during the preseason practice period.  Under the proposal, student-athletes and coaches will have fewer practice days when classes are not in session and, as a result, many coaches may try to squeeze in more practice, so a structured number of hours for countable athletically related activities were appropriate.  This change will benefit student-athlete safety and well-being by reducing the risk of injury and heat-related illnesses, while minimizing catastrophic health events.

9. Proposal 2010 – 5: Playing & Practice Seasons – Fall Sports (4) In soccer, to reduce the maximum number of contests during the segment in which the NCAA championship is conducted from 20 to 18; and in volleyball, to reduce the maximum number of contests during the segment in which the NCAA championship is conducted from 28 to 26. Application:  Soccer––Reduction from 20 to 18 contests.  Women’s Volleyball––Reduction from 28 to 26 dates of competition. Rationale:  Since the policy decisions made by the respective sports committees will result in the championship season being shortened by one week, reductions to the contests or dates of competitions are proposed to provide better balance to student-athletes.  Maintaining the same number of contests or dates of competition in a shorter season is detrimental to student-athlete well-being.  Three years of data from the championships score-reporting system was used to determine the appropriate reductions to contests or dates of competition.  The proposed reductions reflect the average number of contests or dates of competition completed in a week per sport during the championship season.  Field hockey, soccer and women’s volleyball frequently schedule mid-week competitions. The change will assist with reducing student-athlete missed class time, missed study time and additional time away from campus.

10. Proposal 2010 – 6: Playing & Practice Seasons – Spring Sports • In baseball, to reduce the maximum number of contests from 56 to 50; • (2) In golf, to reduce the maximum number of dates of competition from 24 to 21; • (3) softball, to eliminate the tournament dates legislation.

11. Proposal 2010 – 6: Playing & Practice Seasons – Spring Sports (1) In baseball, to reduce the maximum number of contests from 56 to 50; Application: Reduces the maximum permissible number of contests in baseball by six contests. Rationale:  The proposed change would result in less missed class time, missed study time and time away from campus, which should contribute to improved academic performance overall.  Three years of data from the championships score-reporting system was used to determine the appropriate reductions to contests or dates of competition.

12. Proposal 2010 – 6: Playing & Practice Seasons – Spring Sports • (2) In golf, to reduce the maximum number of dates of competition from 24 to 21; • Application: • Reduces the maximum permissible number of dates of competition in golf by three dates of competition. • Rationale: •  Traditionally, golf competitions occur during the week, so the proposed change would result in less missed class time, missed study time and time away from campus, which should contribute to improved academic performance overall. •  Institutions would be encouraged to schedule dual competitions (e.g., institution versus institution) and one-day tournaments, which would have the incidental benefit of cost savings. •  Three years of data from the championships score-reporting system was • used to determine the appropriate reductions to contests or dates of competition.

13. Proposal 2010 – 6: Playing & Practice Seasons – Spring Sports • (3) softball, to eliminate the tournament dates legislation. • Application: •  Eliminates the tournament dates exception in softball. The change would cause each scheduled contest to count against the maximum number of contests, which is 56. •  An institution is still permitted to participate in softball tournaments. With the elimination of the exception, an institution must count each contest that is played during a tournament against the maximum number of contests (e.g., 56). • Rationale: •  The proposed change would likely result in less missed class time, missed study time and time away from campus, which should contribute to improved academic performance overall. •  The change will have the incidental benefit of reducing costs for institutions for expenses associated with travel and/or game related expenses. •  Three years of data from the championships score-reporting system was used to determine the appropriate reductions to contests or dates of competition.

14. Why are there no reductions to the maximum number of contests in softball?  It is important to note that baseball and softball were reviewed independent of each other in this process. Although each sport permits scheduling a maximum of 56 contests, softball also has the tournament dates exception, which permits an institution to schedule and play significantly more than 56 contests.  Eliminating the tournament dates exception reduces the number of contests a softball team will play because each contest counts against the maximum of 56 contests an institution is permitted to schedule. Why was the length of the playing seasons for baseball, softball and golf not shortened?  Maintaining the length of the playing season allows institutions to spread the contests or dates of competition over a greater period of time, which will support the rationale for the proposed changes. In addition, the reduction in contests in baseball, dates of competition in golf, and elimination of the tournament dates exception in softball was to cut down on the amount of missed class time and time away from campus.

15. Proposal 2010 – 7: Playing & Practice Seasons – Winter Break • Establishes a "dead period" from December 20 through December 26 for winter sports (basketball, swimming and diving, indoor track and field and wrestling), during which it would not be permissible for an institution to have practice, competition or other countable athletically related activities (e.g., weight training, conditioning). • Also, establishes a "dead period" during the same dates for all sports, during which it would not be permissible for a student-athlete to participate in voluntary athletically related activities on campus, unless the facility is open to the general student-body.

16. Proposal 2010 – 7: Playing & Practice Seasons – Winter Break Application: • In order for any athletically related activity to be considered "voluntary," all of the following conditions must be met: (a) the student-athlete must not be required to report back to a coach or other athletics department staff member any information related to the activity; (b) the activity must be initiated and requested solely by the student-athlete; (c) the student-athlete's attendance and participation in the activity (or lack thereof) may not be recorded for the purposes of reporting such information to coaching staff members or other student-athletes; and (d) the student-athlete may not be subjected to penalty if he or she elects not to participate in the activity. • An institution would not be permitted to pay for travel expenses for its student-athletes during the “dead period.” However, a student-athlete may travel to and from campus on December 20 or 26 provided he or she pays for such travel expenses. Rationale: • This change will benefit student-athlete well-being by allowing student-athletes to travel home during the winter break, work or simply relax. • Institutional athletics personnel (e.g., coaches, facilities managers, athletic trainers) will be able to improve work-life balance because they will not be required to be on campus to attend to the management of student-athletes, athletic events and facilities. • Shorter seasons and fewer games might actually help retain coaches from a work-life balance perspective. • The seven-day period from December 20 through December 26 was chosen mainly in an attempt to create consistency among all institutions. • There has been an increasing concern with the year-long nature of winter sports. • Establishing the “dead period” as the same seven days for all institutions is better than the alternative of allowing institutions to choose seven consecutive days during the winter, which could present cumbersome scheduling challenges. • A majority of institutions are already closed a few days during this seven-day period. • Institutions traditionally have not played a significant number of contests during this period.

17. Proposal 2010 – 7-1: Playing & Practice Seasons – Winter Break-Return Travel To specify that it is permissible for an institution to travel December 20 after an away-from-home competition that occurs December 19, provided that is the earliest practical opportunity to return to campus.

18. Proposal 2010 – 8: Playing & Practice Seasons – • Winter Sports-Basketball • In basketball, to reduce the maximum number of contests from 27 to 26. • Rationale: • • This reduction is necessary due to the recommended proposal for the winter break, which would shorten the overall length of the basketball playing season by one week. • • This change would likely result in less missed class time, missed study time and time away from campus for basketball student-athletes, which should contribute to improved academic performance overall. • • Basketball frequently schedules mid-week competitions. • • Maintaining the same number of contests in a shorter season is detrimental to student-athlete well-being. • • The governance structure recommended to reduce the maximum number of contests by only one this year due to the fact that “phase two” of the Life in the Balance discussions next year will include an examination of exempted contests in all sports, which might impact the sport in some manner.

19. Proposal 2010 – 14: Playing & Practice Seasons – Basketball-First Contest In basketball, to specify that a member institution shall not play its first contest (game or scrimmage) with outside competition prior to the second Friday of November.

20. The following legislation also passed at the 2010 NCAA Convention in Atlanta, GA. Although they are not “Life in the Balance” issues, they will, however, affect NCAA Division II institutions beginning August 1, 2010.

21. Proposal 2010 – 9: Personnel – Sports Safety Training To specify that each head coach and all other coaches who are employed as full-time staff members at an institution shall be certified in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automatic external defibrillator (AED) use. This includes all assistant coaches who are full-time employees at the institution.

22. Proposal 2010 – 9: Personnel – Sports Safety Training The legislation requires all head coaches and all other coaches who are employed full time at an institution to be certified. To be in compliance with the proposed requirement, head coaches and all other coaches who are employed full time at an institution should receive their certification prior to working with the respective teams. The proposal does not permit a grace period for an uncertified head coach hired and/or designated midseason. If an institution replaces a coach midseason and the coach does not have the required certifications prior to engaging in coaching activities, this would result in a violation. A newly hired coach must be certified prior to his or her participation in the first athletically related activity in the sport in which he or she is the designated a coach. Once the coach is certified the coach must maintain that certification for as long as he or she is the head coach or a coach that is a full-time employee of the institution. If a coach performs coaching duties without being certified it would be an institutional violation and the institution must self-report the violation.

23. Proposal 2010 – 11: ELIGIBILITY -- CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING SEASON OF ELIGIBILITY -- PARTICIPATION IN ORGANIZED COMPETITION PRIOR TO INITIAL COLLEGIATE ENROLLMENT To specify that an individual who does not enroll in a collegiate institution as a full-time student in the regular academic term that begins immediately after a one-year time period following his or her high school graduation date shall use one season of intercollegiate competition for each consecutive 12-month period after the one-year time period and before initial full-time collegiate enrollment in which the individual participates in organized competition; further, to amend the administration of the organized-competition regulations, as specified.

24. Proposal 2010 – 11: ELIGIBILITY -- CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING SEASON OF ELIGIBILITY -- PARTICIPATION IN ORGANIZED COMPETITION PRIOR TO INITIAL COLLEGIATE ENROLLMENT Question No. 1: Is it permissible for a prospective student-athlete to be a professional athlete during the one-year grace period and prior to enrolling in a collegiate institution without being subject to the organized-competition legislation? Answer: Yes. Pursuant to Bylaw 12.1.2 (amateur status) prior to initial full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual may use his or her athletics skill for pay, accept pay or the promise of pay, sign a contract, receive a salary or financial assistance from a professional sports organization or compete on a professional team. Question No. 2: Is it permissible for a prospective student-athlete to agree to be represented by an agent during the one-year grace period and prior to enrolling in a collegiate institution without being subject to the organized-competition legislation? Answer: No. Pursuant to Bylaw 12.3 (use of agents), an individual would jeopardize his or her amateur status if he or she enters into an agreement with an agent (orally or in writing) at any time prior to exhausting his or her intercollegiate eligibility.

25. Proposal 2010 – 11: ELIGIBILITY -- CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING SEASON OF ELIGIBILITY -- PARTICIPATION IN ORGANIZED COMPETITION PRIOR TO INITIAL COLLEGIATE ENROLLMENT Question No. 3: How does the one-year grace period apply to a prospective student-athlete who graduates on a nontraditional date from high school (e.g., November, December graduation)? Answer: The one-year grace period would begin following the date of the prospective student-athlete's high school graduation. The next opportunity to enroll would be the winter/spring semester or quarter following the one-year period. Question No. 4: Why is the postgraduate preparatory school exception being eliminated in Proposal No. 2010-11? Answer: The expansion of the grace period to one calendar year provides a similar outcome in that the postgraduate preparatory school exception only applies to the initial year of enrollment at a preparatory school.

26. Proposal 2010 – 13: PLAYING AND PRACTICE SEASONS GOLF - OUT-OF-SEASON AND NONCHAMPIONSHIP SEGMENT ATHLETICALLY RELATED ACTIVITIES -- NONCHAMPIONSHIP SEGMENT ACTIVITIES -- 60-CONSECUTIVE CALENDAR DAY PERIOD In golf, to specify that during the segment in which the NCAA championship does not occur, a student-athlete may participate in any practice or competition activity as permitted by other legislation, provided such activity is restricted to a maximum of 24 days that occur within a period of 60 consecutive calendar days; further, to specify that an institution that declares fall as its championship segment per Bylaw 20.10.4.3 and discontinues championship segment activities by November 1 (instead of November 15) may add 15 calendar days to the period of 60 consecutive calendar days available during the non-championship segment.

27. ALWAYS ASK BEFORE YOU ACT!!!!